How to remove redirects to musttrust.xyz and the software causing them?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is musttrust[.]xyz?
Musttrust.xyz is a fake search engine. Fraudulent web searchers like musttrust[.]xyz are usually promoted by PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) categorized as browser hijackers. The Find browser hijacker has been noted promoting musttrust[.]xyz; what is noteworthy is that this rogue extension uses sophisticated persistence-ensuring tactics to stop users from recovering their browsers.
How do browser hijackers promote musttrust[.]xyz?
Browser hijackers typically operate by assigning fake web searcher addresses (e.g., musttrust[.]xyz) as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. While the Find browser hijacker has not been observed making these changes to browsers, it is possible that it can modify browsers in this manner.
Hijacker software promotes search engines by redirecting to them when a new browser tab/window is opened, and when a web search is performed via the URL bar. The Find browser hijacker has been noted promoting musttrust[.]xyz and the peatea[.]xyz fraudulent web searchers.
Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. This also applies to musttrust[.]xyz; it redirects to the legitimate Bing search engine (possibly others).
Browser hijackers often use various persistence-ensuring techniques. The Find browser hijacker denies access to the Google Chrome extensions list ("chrome://extensions/") and instead displays a fake one ("chrome-extension://[user's_ID]/extensions.html"). Therefore, users can neither see the Find extension present nor can they remove it. Furthermore, this browser hijacker can use the "Managed by your organization" Chrome browser feature.
What is more, most browser hijackers have data tracking abilities. They record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). This data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of such unwanted software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
Name | musttrust.xyz browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Find |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Detection Names (musttrust[.]xyz) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Detection Names (rogue installer) | Avast (Win32:TrojanX-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Jaik.45703), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (UDS:DangerousObject.Multi.Generic), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Sabsik.FL.B!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engines and browser hijackers in general
Kwiqsearch.com, nearbyme.io, ctcodeinfo.com - are a couple examples of fake search engines, and GameSearchTech, MySearchConverters, IncognitoSearchWeb - of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and offer "useful" functionalities, which are seldom operational.
This applies to nearly all PUAs. Unwanted apps are designed to hijack browsers, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), force-open dubious and malicious sites, and collect private data.
How did musttrust[.]xyz promoting software install on my computer?
PUAs are spread using the "bundling" marketing technique - packing regular software with unwanted/malicious additions. Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. PUAs may also have "official" download pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software and download it only from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled and harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced", and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive adverts appear ordinary, yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
Appearance of musttrust.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Screenshot of Find browser hijacker's manual removal steps:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is musttrust[.]xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove musttrust[.]xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove musttrust[.]xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove musttrust[.]xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
musttrust[.]xyz redirect removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the musttrust[.]xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
musttrust[.]xyz redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them. Note that the Find browser hijacker (one of those that promote musttrust.xyz) denies access to the extensions list by displaying a fake one; Find browser extension removal steps can be found above.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.musttrust[.]xyz) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "musttrust[.]xyz" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the musttrust.xyz browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove all recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://musttrust[.]xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with musttrust.xyz browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the musttrust.xyz browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit musttrust[.]xyz website?
Browser hijacker developers generate revenue through redirects to websites like the musttrust[.]xyz site.
Is visiting musttrust[.]xyz a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like musttrust[.]xyz typically collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are proliferated using social engineering and dubious distribution techniques, e.g., online scams, unofficial and freeware websites, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, software bundling, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal may not be ideal when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. It may occur that when one is removed - the others re-install it. Additionally, some settings cannot be modified while a browser hijacker is present. Hence, browser hijackers must be removed immediately and all at once.
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